CVE-2012-1979 in SyndeoCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in starnet/index.php in SyndeoCMS 3.0.01 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the email parameter (aka Email address field) in an edit_user configuration action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1979 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within SyndeoCMS version 3.0.01 and earlier installations. This security weakness resides in the starnet/index.php component of the content management system and specifically affects the email parameter handling during user configuration modifications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it permits authenticated users to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, creating a significant risk for both data integrity and user privacy. The flaw operates through the edit_user configuration action where the email address field fails to properly sanitize user input before processing.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic XSS attack pattern where malicious input is crafted to bypass the application's input validation mechanisms. When an authenticated user submits a specially crafted email address containing embedded script tags or malicious HTML content through the edit_user action, the application processes this input without adequate sanitization or output encoding. This failure to implement proper input validation and output encoding creates a persistent vector for attackers to inject malicious code that executes in the browsers of other users who view the affected content. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')" which is a fundamental web application security weakness that has been consistently identified as one of the top ten web application security risks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, manipulate data, and potentially escalate privileges within the CMS environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to full account compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers need only obtain legitimate user credentials to exploit this weakness, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user accounts are not adequately protected or monitored. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" and T1566.001 for "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to deliver malicious JavaScript payloads through compromised user accounts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1979 should focus on immediate input validation and output encoding implementation throughout the application. The primary remediation involves implementing strict input sanitization for all user-supplied data, particularly email addresses, through the use of proper HTML escaping and encoding functions before any data is rendered in web pages. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and restrict the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Additionally, the CMS should be updated to a version that includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, as SyndeoCMS 3.0.02 and later versions address this specific vulnerability through enhanced parameter validation and output encoding. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other parts of the application. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect unusual user behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while user access controls should be strengthened to limit the scope of potential damage from compromised accounts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include both server-side input validation and client-side security measures to prevent cross-site scripting attacks from compromising web applications.